Summary:

As a teenage boy, young Wyatt Earp wants to fight in the Civil War. As a grown man, he struggles to escape the war that embroils his life. Kevin Costner and Dennis Quaid star in the epic western, WYATT EARP, chronicling the life and adventures of the legendary lawman. The film is plagued by excessive length, foul language (though there is a minimum of profanity) and abusive treatment of women.

Review:

As a teenage boy, young Wyatt Earp wants to fight in the Civil War. As a grown man, he struggles to escape the war between law and anarchy which embroils his life. Kevin Costner and Dennis Quaid star in the epic-length western, WYATT EARP, chronicling the life and adventures of the legendary lawman from boyhood on the farm to advanced years in the company of a second wife. After a heart-wrenching tragedy, Wyatt heads West, ultimately landing a Deputy Marshall job and thus beginning his often brutal, yet effective, career.

Kevin Costner is excellent as Wyatt Earp, but Dennis Quaid steals the film as Wyatt's friend, the dentist from Georgia turned "sporting man," Doc Holliday. However, this historically accurate story of Wyatt Earp and his brothers is long and involved, and suffers from a few holes in the storyline, some minor slow spots and could do without a few tangents. Regrettably, women are treated with disrespect, and marriage, while initially portrayed honorably, is demeaned. Relentless revenge is also a disturbing element, forging Wyatt into a bitter, cold man and leaving little room for forgiveness, love or hope for a peaceful life, which is all Wyatt Earp ever really wanted. Even so, the direction and fine acting create an interesting and intriguing film, especially for those who love Westerns.